Why music is a powerful tool to quiet stress in the brain

Researchers at the Chinese Institute of Sciences found that music uniquely alters communication between brain regions that process sound and those involved in regulating stress and arousal. In experiments, participants who listened to music recovered from stress faster than those who listened to nature sounds, with measurable changes in heart rate, skin conductivity, and cortisol levels.

The study involved healthy young adults experiencing short-term stress; findings may not directly apply to clinical populations or chronic stress. Personally preferred music might produce different effects than the researcher-selected music used in the study.